Messianic claimants (13)

John of Gischala (67-70 CE)

Story: John of Gischala was a personal enemy of Flavius Josephus:
in the first stages of the war
against the Romans, they had both commanded Jewish armies in northern
Galilee. After the Romans had conquered these parts, John and his six thousand
men went south, where he managed to control most of Jerusalem and appointed
a high priest, a man named Phannias. According to Flavius Josephus, John
behaved like a tyrant or despot, which probably may be decoded as a kingly
rule. This caused heavy tensions with the Zealots, who occupied the Temple
and accepted no other lord than the Lord; John solved the problem with
the sword. When Titus had captured Jerusalem, John surrendered. He was
sentenced to life imprisonment.

Comment: Although John behaved
like a king and tried to liberate Israel,
he did not claim to be the Messiah. This is proven by his silver coins,
which bear the political, non-religious legend 'Freedom of Zion'. Josephus
abhors from John's

impiety towards God. For he had unlawful food served at his
table and abandoned the established rules of purity of our forefathers

[Flavius Josephus, Jewish War 7.264]

which also suggests that John of Gischala was not a particularly pious
man. But it is possible that Josephus is simply slandering his former enemy.